How bad is frozen pumpkin?
Bad enough that this pumpkin lover dumped a whole cup of expensive greek yogurt down the drain this morning.
I’ve said before that once you freeze it and thaw it out it really can only be used in oatmeal or smoothies. NOT in pancakes or yogurt. But my pumpkin-hungry self thought if I stirred hard enough it would emulsify into my yogurt.
Big fat wrong. It was AWFUL! Gritty like little bits of dirt all throughout, just the opposite of what you’d want smooth greek yogurt to be. I should have just put it all in my Vita-mix, but I didn’t think of that until I was already starting over with a pumpkin-less bowl.
The redeeming bowl was delicous though – Oikos with bran flakes, raw oats, crumbled Cville Cluster granola bar that I smuggled home yesterday. Plus half a banana, some barney butter and coconut (also smuggled 🙂 )
Let’s talk about TEA!! Chestnut for the win!!!! This was the last flavor of Adagio I ordered (I got a bunch of sample packs so I could try a lot of flavors). Chestnut just didn’t speak to me. I thought it would be kind of dirty tasting – you know, like a chestnut roasting on a fire? I don’t know that I’ve ever had a chestnut.
But it was IN-credible!!! It smelled like a Snickers bar and was the most hazelnut-coffee flavored black tea I’ve ever consumed. Maybe my new favorite!?
Rain, rain go away. I have lots of things to do today!
Mai says
Ooh. :/ Definitely good to know about the pumpkin. I’ve thought about freezing some a few times, but remembered your experience with it.
kathleen @ the daily crumb says
so sorry about the pumpkin, kath, but sounds like the delicious mug of tea more than made up for it! unfortunately i think yogurt bowls have bowed out for me for the season. it’s just too cold!! oats, pancakes, and eggs until it warms up again around…. ohhh, maybe may?! (gosh, i love chicago).
Tracey says
Ahhh! Kath I was going to e-mail you about the Chestnut! It is truly incredible. Thank you so much for blogging about Adagio, because I wouldn’t have known about it otherwise. I feel like my true tea appreciation has been awakened.
Khushboo says
Thanks for reminding that it’s been far too long since I had a yogurt bowl for breakfast- I think I know what I shall be heading for tomorrow!
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
I love your determination to satisfy your pumpkin craving – sorry it didn’t work out!
Jen says
I wish it were cheaper to order online. Not around these parts. Question though: is black tea caffeinated?
Janine @ThePurpleGiraffe says
Mmmm tea that smells like a snickers bar? I’m in! Good to know about the pumpkin, I have some in my fridge that I almost threw in the freezer this morning after eating up my “pumpkin pie” overnight oats!
j says
I love how you match up your bowls, mugs and linens. Do you meticulously plan that or just peer into your cabinets and see what jumps out at you? Happy Wednesday 🙂
KathEats says
On purpose 🙂
Cait's Plate says
That’s so funny because as soon as you mentioned “Chestnut” I had the same first reactions that you did. Interesting to know that it tasted Snickers-y! I’m still in love with the idea of the candy cane one from the other day! I literally went to their site and just stared at it and wished it were in front of me. Haha.
lynda @ healthy hoboken girl says
So sorry for the pumpkin fail….I’m sure the rest of day will be fine.
I’m going to make home made whole wheat fig bars today…cross your fingers! I was thinking about adding a little pumpkin in there…we’ll see how it goes.
Have a wonderful day!
Tiffany says
sounds delicious! can you share the recipe?
lynda @ healthy hoboken girl says
I hope to be posting it soon, thanks…Tiffany. Worked on them today! They look great.
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
I’m sorry that your pumpkin mishap. At least breakfast still looks delicious and you managed to turn something that was negative into a positive thing!
I hate the rain too! Have a good day anyway 🙂
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
I’ve never actually tried freezing pumpkin so I can’t say I have thoughts to share on that one! As for chestnut tea, that sounds amazing!
Anne Weber-Falk says
Many years ago my husband and I were walking in downtown Chicago at Christmas time when we happened upon a little man looking like he came right out of Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. He had an old black stove with fire and in it he was roasting and selling chestnuts. It was so cool and we were so excited. We bought a small bag to share. We each popped one into our mouths and promptly spit them out. Ugh! They were awful! The texture was terrible too. Soft and dirty tasting. Never will I eat another chestnut after that. It was a fun memory though. We still enjoy seeing that little man in the top hat with his cockney accent selling chestnuts every Christmas.
KathEats says
Haha – funny story. The tea was excellent! Like hazelnut.
Sarah says
Did you peel them first then eat them or just eat them? I’ve had roasted chestnuts at holiday gatherings and they were wonderful, almost melts in your mouth, but you must peel first!
Dee says
Chestnut tea sounds divine!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Ewwww… poor pumpkin! I hate it when breakfast doesn’t work out. It sometimes seems even more disappointing than when other meals fail.
Jenn says
I wouldn’t go so far as to say that chestnuts taste “dirty”. They’re a staple in my house during the winter months and they such a wonderful nutty flavor.
Amanda says
You sold me on that tea when you mentioned snickers! haha I also wouldn’t have thought it chestnut would be so amazing, but now I can’t wait to try it.
Such a bummer about the frozen pumpkin. I HATE wasting food, so if I throw something out, it’s safe to say it was completely inedible.
Anna @ On Anna's Plate says
Yikes, sorry about the breakfast fail! And yes, chestnuts are DELICIOUS!!! We used to buy them from the street vendors in Chicago during the winter…yum 🙂
[email protected] says
I absolutely hate wasting food. But even worse is eating an unsatisfying gross meal so I would have dumped it too. A few months back I went to grab a big tub of greek yogurt and although I had a grasp on the lid the whole tub fell on the floor and splattered everywhere. I almost cried.
Nikki T says
I’m very intrigued by this chestnut tea! I loooooove chestnuts, they remind me of Christmas and my Nana <3
Susan H. @ the food allergy chronicles says
Who knew frozen pumpkin would be like that…thought you could freeze just about anything? I’ve never had a chestnut…my only experience with chestnuts is my friend planting one when we were kids…when I look at it now …full grown into a tree…lots of childhood memories come flooding back!
katie @KatieDid says
oh man I hate to waste food, I know how painful that must have been. I’ve seen chestnut butter at my store lately and I’ve been so tempted to try it out, despite it being quite pricey. I don’t know what chestnut flavor would be!
Emily G. @ from my messy desk says
I’ve seen where you use Soap Nuts for laundry..I’m not sure how much you buy them for but Zulily has a sale on them right now (ends 11/18/11). For 360 loads it is $16.99 (plus shipping) or 180 loads for $7.99 (plus shipping).
KathEats says
OH thanks for the tip!
Roxanne says
Soap nuts? Never heard of it, I’ll research online… 360 loads for $21.03 Canadian It was on for HALF price, originally $ 43.31 Yeah, thanks for the information!
Julie says
I just tried my first chestnut from a street vendor selling fresh roasted chestnuts in Rome, Italy. L-O-V-E at first bite. They are a very different nut, but so good. Soft and flavorful and not at all what I was expecting. Delicious, unique flavor. I’m tempted to buy some this holiday season and roast them on the BBQ at home. I’ll have to order some of that chestnut tea. Sounds wonderful.
Tiffany says
Good Morning Kath,
I’ve made my own pumpkin puree and frozen it and when thawed its perfectly fine…maybe when canned pumpkin is frozen it has a gritty consistency?
By the way can you list your top favorite adiago teas? I want to purchase some but they all look good!! Also is the discount for KERF readers still on? Thanks!!
KathEats says
Maybe it is a canned thing. It water separates out leaving a gross curdled mess.
Favorites are:
Chestnut
Almost Pumpkin Ice Cream
Gingerbread
Candy Cane
Pumpkin Spice
lynn @ the actor's diet says
thanks for the PSA, kath! hundreds of breakfasts have been saved!
Nicole says
That’s so funny because I was on the Adagio site yesterday and saw that it got a very high rating but I was nervous for the same exact reasons you were! Now I’m going to order it 🙂
Question–I searched high and low on your site yesterday to see how and what you make your whip for your tea out of but couldn’t find it anywhere (and I know it was in one of your previous posts!). Can you tell me again how you do it?
KathEats says
It’s a little hand held frother from IKEA
Johanna B says
Strangely enough I was hungry for pumpkin yogurt this morning, too. I fixed some up with granola and toasted pecans. Won-der-ful!
Cookie and Kate says
So funny—my name is Kathryne, I blog about eating real food, AND I have the same K mug from Anthropologie! What are the odds?
KathEats says
🙂
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning says
Ugh- this rain is a bummer!
I hate wasting food- it literally breaks my heart! At least you know now, and won’t waste any more precious yogurt in the future. 🙂
Oh- and chestnut tea? Sounds awesome!!
Alaina says
With all of your glowing reviews of Adagio tea, I think I’m going to have to buy some! What have been your favorite flavors?
KathEats says
Typed them about 5 comments up 🙂
Alaina says
Thank you! 🙂
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
Booo about the frozen pumpkin! But at least the tea made up for it. Chestnut definitely sounds a little funky but hey, if it’s delicious then all the better! 🙂
[email protected] Broken Cookies Don't Count says
I love good strong tea. I’ll have to look into ordering some samples to try.
Amber Murphy says
Roasted, already peeled chestnuts are worth looking for!! They’re INCREDIBLE!!
Victoria @ The Pursuit of Hippieness says
I got the Adagio holiday sample a couple weeks ago and the chestnut is by far and away my favorite. Have you had the mocha nut mate? It actually has mini chocolate chips in it! Soooo good.
KathEats says
No!!! Haven’t seen that one!
[email protected] Notebook says
Oh my goodness that tea sounds delicious and I love all types of hot tea so I must give it a try.
I have had the same experience with frozen pumpkin, it’s fine for cooking after being frozen but that’s about it.
Jill in Chicago says
Ooh, I’ll have to try the Chestnut !
My ratings of the Adagio teas I’ve tried are:
Hazelnut and Coconut (tied for my favorite!)
Gingerbread
White tropics (white tea)
Cocomint (green tea)
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
Eeep! Thanks for the tip about the pumpkin! Great breakie though 🙂
Mahealani @ Beauty, Brains, and Balance says
Oh no! So sad when you have to make a sacrifice to the disposal gods. 🙁
Roxanne says
I have a disposable god, her name is Pinky, a pot bellied pig and she makes a whole week of garbage into a small little bag!
Susan says
There is a way to have good pumpkin after freezing- use a vacuum sealer. We have a FoodSaver and can vacuum seal anything and freeze it- when you take it out, even months later, it tastes super fresh! I swear by it!
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
Sorry about the pumpkin fail! I’ve been there and done that with other foods.
Barry says
Kath,
Daily follower.. you inspired me to search for and find Biscoff spread yesterday. Awesome find! Quick question for you though regarding freezing pumpkin.. how would you go about storing pumpkin in the future once the large can has been opened? That’s of course assuming you won’t be using your freezer method again.
KathEats says
Hey Barry!
I’m going to freeze some of it in an ice cube tray for smoothies and oatmeal when I don’t have a can on hand. And I’m going to eat the rest within 10 days in my fresh things as best I can! I used a 6 pound can from the bakery, so perhaps it will make more sense for me to just go back to 14 oz cans
Tracy says
Yay for Chestnut! I knew you’d like it!
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
I hate when I try something and it is totally gross.Throwing away food is the worst! But yah for yummy drinks 🙂
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
Chestnut tea sounds delicious!! I had Almond tea once and it is the best tea I’ve ever had! It literally tasted like candied nuts!
Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy says
I need to get some fun tea flavors, I have noticed I want something other then coffee in the morning. Tea is always a nice alternative!
Ashley J says
Isn’t there a Dumbledore tea? I might have to get that just for nerd purposes.
Tee @ She Writes, Bites, and Window Shops says
I recently used frozen pumpkin to make oatmeal pumpkin muffins and they came out great! So from my experience it’s ok to use in baked goods too. But good to know about the yogurt!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Sorry you had a pumpkin fail. And had to dump food out…I hate when I have to toss things, too!
[email protected] says
ahhhh yesss the ol’ pumpkin freezing fail~that happened to me, haha. And that bowl color is so pretty! It makes light colored food look more delicious.
Angel7 says
I would have thought that Chestnut tea would not be something that I like either.
I like your saying, “Rain, rain go away. I have lots of things to do today!” 🙂
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
I haven’t ever tried Chestnuts either! And I ordered the holiday sampler from Adagio, I can’t wait to try their teas!
Hillary B says
Kath –
Have you been to Teavana? Same idea as Adagio – gourmet loose-leaf teas, but they have an actual store in the Short Pump mall! They always have a ton of samples, which is fun, and you can order any of their teas as a beverage so you can taste-test before committing to a whole bunch. The next time you’re in Richmond, you should check it out!
http://www.teavana.com/
KathEats says
I’ve seen the store many times at the mall and their teas are good – just haven’t ever been in a tea mood when I’ve been there!
Olive says
I just found your wonderful blog. I can’t wait to check the archives out and follow along.
Roxanne says
By the way, she is just great! Not all vegan, but some great vegan recipes nonetheless! 🙂
KathEats says
Welcome Olive!
Liz says
Hi Kath! I have that very same tea sampler from Adagio. Do you put milk and/or sugar in them? I find some of them to be a bit lacking.
KathEats says
No sugar, yes milk. I think they have loads of flavor!
Elizabeth Kelley @ A Dancer In The Kitchen says
I need to order some of that tea! Nice to meet you in person at the Foodbuzz Festival! We’ll have to get Faith to go sometime 🙂 Have you ever tried any Chestnut creme (creme de marron)? I buy it when I go to France and it’s delicious on toast! I found a jar at the Ferry Building in SF!
KathEats says
Hey Elizabeth! I haven’t had the Chestnut Creme – sounds delicious!
Come visit Faith + Me 🙂
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I’ve had to throw out a meal before too because of some sort of mishap. It sucks to have to toss it, but I’d rather have a good meal than a mediocre or bad one!
~Christy @ wonderofallthings says
Good to know about the pumpkin…Thanks! 🙂